Lachie Neale’s contract situation means any potential trade for the superstar is not a certainty “by any stretch of the imagination”, according to player manager Liam Pickering.
The Brisbane midfielder is confirmed to be considering his options, including a potential move to Fremantle despite having two years left to run on his current contract.
Pickering believes players who want to leave despite having years remaining on deals are in a sticky situation, saying Brisbane will have the upper hand in contract negotiations.
“If they don’t get compensated the way they want, they’ll just hold their ground,” Pickering said on the The Oval Office.
“It’s not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination.”
The renowned manager can recall multiple situations of star players requesting trades with two years remaining on contracts to no avail.
“I went through it with Josh Dunkley last year, Josh asked for a trade to the Bombers and he had two years to run on his contract,” he said.
“Similar type thing, the Bulldogs held their ground and that’s what Brisbane can do.
“We asked the question with Gary Ablett with two years to go on his contract too.
“Two years to go is a really hard time (to break a contract).”
Neale was hampered by a variety of injuries throughout the 2021 season, but roared back to form with 46 disposals in the Lions’ Qualifying Final loss to Melbourne.
He was industrious with 28 touches in Brisbane’s one-point Semi Final loss to the Western Bulldogs on the weekend.
With rumours circulating of Lachie Neale's desire to return to Fremantle, player manager Liam Pickering says it is very hard to get a trade deal done with two years remaining on a player's contract.
— The Oval Office (@OvalOfficeAFL) September 6, 2021
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